Rail anchor means



y 1951 T. w. SAUL 2,553,009

' RAIL ANCHOR MEANS Filed Aug. 9, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 4. W 904 flrramm- Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAIL ANCHOR MEANS Tom W. Saul, Tucson, Ariz.

Application August 9, 1947, Serial No. 767,782

' Claims.

My present invention relates to a rail anchor means, commonly referred to as anti-creeper means, and more specifically to improvements over my copending patent application for a rail anchor, filed December 16, 1946, Serial No. 716,- 508, now Patent No. 2,501,969, dated March 28, 1950.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide means of this class whereby a simple anchor member may be easily, quickly, and rigidly applied or secured to a railroad rail by substantially uniting the anchor member to the rail by an intimate bond.

An important feature of this invention is the provision of the insertion or interposition of a uniting plate or member of slightly softer metal, or other suitable material, than both the anchor member and rail between which it is placed, whereby the material of such uniting plate or member, when the anchor member is driven on the rail, yields slightly, is molded to and substantially pressed into the infinitesimal voids in the adjacent surfaces of the anchor member and rail.

An important object of this invention is to provide rail anchor means of this class which is very simple and economical of construction and which is very simple and economical to apply.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a simple anchor member of novel shape, and further one of novel cross-section, for effecting the intimate bonding of the same to the rail.

A further important object of this invention is to provide a rail anchor member and a bonding or joining plate, shim, or clip, of such shape whereby the two are substantially interlocked.

A still further important object of this invention is to provide a bonding or joining plate, shim, or clip, of the character mentioned, which is designed to prevent the anchor member from being twisted or turned on or with respect to the plate, shim, or clip, and thereby prevent the breaking of the locking action of the anchor member on or with respect to the rail.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide a plate, shim, or clip, for limiting the movement of or riding of the same on the rail flange when the anchor member is driven appended claims. Reference will be had to the accompanying drawings and to the reference characters thereon, which form a part of this application Fig. 1 of the drawings is a perspective View of a portion of a railroad rail with my anchor means in one form of construction mounted thereon;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of my anchor means, partly in section, shown mounted on a fragmentary portion of a base flange of the rail, shown in section, the friction plate being shown in a modified form from that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view thereof, taken through 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view, similar to that shown in Fig. 2, but in a slightly modified form of construction;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view thereof, taken through 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is another fragmentary elevational view, similar to that shown in Fig. 2, but showing a modified form of applying the anchor member;

Fig. 7 is still another fragmentary elevational View, similar to that shown in Fig. 2, but of another slightly modified form of my anchor means;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of the structure of Fig. 7; and,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of my anchor means, similar to that of Fig. '7, but showing the anchor and friction members in slightly modified forms.

The rail l, shown in the drawings, is of a crosssection of a rail commonly employed in railroad construction. The portions I designate the base flanges which extend laterally from the rail and support the same on the railroad tie 2. The purpose of my rail anchor means A is similar to that of other anchors or anti-creepers of this type now in use, and is mounted on one of the base flanges of the rail in such a manner as to abut against one side of the tie to prevent creeping of the rail thereon.

The rail anchor means A, shown in the drawings, comprises essentially an anchor member A and a clip, shim, liner, or plate A Slightly different forms of the anchor member and clip, shim, liner, or plate, will be hereinafter described.

In all of the views of the drawings, the anchor member is substantially of U or V-shape, or it may be defined in the shape of a sheep-hook. It consists of a lower leg II and an upper leg [2 connected at one end by a connecting portion I3, the latter portion extending around the outer edge of the flange I and connecting the legs ll and 12 positioned at the lower and upper sides of the flange.

As shown in the drawings, the edge of the lower leg ll of the anchor member engages the edge of the tie 2 to prevent the rail from creeping thereon. Often the rails rest on tie plates (not shown) in order to distribute the load on the tie. If such tie plates are used, the lower leg ll of the anchor member may engage such plate, or the plates and the tie.

The upperleg is bent downwardly intermediate its ends forming substantially a downwardly curved protuberance I4 whereby a relatively short bearing is made against the plate I 5, designated above, and shown in Fig. 1, as the portion A of the anchor means. The cross-section of the anchor member, or if desired, of the legs of the anchor member, may be flat at the inner sides. However, the legs, or one of them, as show-n, are preferably constructed in such a manner as to comprise spaced ribs 16 and H at the opposite edges of its inner sides. That is, the leg or legs are provided with portions laterally spacing the above mentioned protuberance I4.

I have found that the member It may be'made of various materials. Experiments have shown satisfactory results if this member is made of metal which is slightly softer or more malleable than either the flange of the rail or the anchor member. With this construction, the forcing of the anchor member over the edge of the flange of the rail causes movement of the friction plate inwardly and causes compression of the metal of the plate and primarily displaces the metal in the direction of movement of the anchor member. Such compression of the metal, or other material, causes distribution of the same and brings about bonding or intimate contacts between the anchor member and rail through the plate, thereby producing great frictional resistance against the withdrawal of the anchor member from the rail flange.

The contacting surfaces of the anchor member may be roughened or deformed, such as by scoring such surfaces, thereby facilitating the cutting or pressing of these members into the softer metal plate.

The anchor member of the cross-sections, shown in the above described and other views, may be either rolled, forged, or fabricated from suitable dies.

The cross-section of the plate I5, shown in Figs. 2 and 3 consists of .a central flat plate portion I with upwardly directed flanges lfi at its opposite lateral edges. The channel at the bottom of the plate portion l5 and between the flanges [5 is such as to receive snugly therein the lateral portions of the leg or legs of the .anchor member A depending upon whether one or two of such plates are employed, to reduce to a minimum the tendency of the anchor member to twist or turn. Substantial clearance is provided between the upper portions of the flanges 15 so as readily to insert the leg or legs of the anchor member in the channel of the plate.

The structure shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is designated to perform the same function as that shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In this construction, there is provided only a single protusion, designated l8, which may be at the center of the leg of the anchor member, which bears upon a plate, shown in Fig. 5 as flat, and designated l9. Such construction, in addition to the function above pointed out, allows a slight swivelling movement of the anchor about the rail flange, thereby permitting it to be more readily straightened or aligned with the tie against which it is intended to be driven.

In applying rail anchors of this type, the rail anchor may be forced over the rail flange beyond its desired position. In order to prevent such overdriving of the anchor member, the plate is placed flatwise against the flange, but with the outer end of the plate [5 extended over the outer edge of the rail flange, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, providing means for limiting the driving of the anchor member over the flange of the rail,

by the engagement of the outer end of the plate by the loop or connecting portion 13.

Fig. 6 shows, in exaggerated form, the probable distribution of stresses and distortion on the plate i9. After the rail anchor is driven into place, .and against the end of the plate 19, the plate is caused to bear against the rail flange at the point [9 and also at the point l9 near the outer edge of the rail flange, thus providing a double bonding of the rail anchor to the plate and the plate to the rail flange, as well as resiliently limiting the movement or drivingof the plate and anchor member on the rail flan e.

In Figs. 2 and 3, I have provided other limit means, d s a d 5 o p ven he forcin of the p shim the i5. bey nd a predetermined distance from the edge of the rail flange. This limit means consists of a narrow downwardly pressed car at approximately the middle portion of the plate, as shown Fig. 3. This ear, when bent downwardly, is adapted to engage the edge of the rail flange.

In the structure shown in Fig. '7, a u-shapcd clip, shim, or liner 2! is'employed, This liner may be made of the same material as the plate l5, referred to above. In this construction, the outer sides of the legs of the clip are .provided with enlargements 22, which are adapted, to, be received in recesses 23 and 24 at the inner sides of the inner legs 23 and 2 4, of the .U-shaped anchor member. These enlargements 22 are such that they fit into and lock, the clip, or liner into the anchor member between thelegs thereof.

The construction shown, in Fig. '7 may be em.- ployed or is desirable when the clip or shim is made of metal which is harder than the rail flange or the anchor member. The enlargements Z2 permit the anchor member to snap into place v r these l ements when, theclipis secured in position over the rail flange. In this instance, the inner faces of the legs of the clip. or liner may be provided with. hard, sharp, and gritty material, not shown, and asv disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 716,508.

Fig. 8 shows a fragmentary portion of the upper leg 52 of the anchor member, and shows a friction plate, designated 3! as having ashoulder St .over which the protrusion I4 is forced and by which it is retained, substantially as and for the purpose described in connection with Fig. '7.

With the structures of Figs. '7 and 8, the inner or contacting edges of the legs of the anchor member may be made flat, as referred to above.

The structure of Fig. 9 embodies the principal feature of the structure of Figs. 2 and 3, but the friction member, designated 4!, is in the form of a U-shaped clip instead'of a plate, as in Figs. 2

and 3, this clip M engaging'both upper and lower faces of the flange l In this instance, therefore, there is provided a friction means, in the form of the legs M and- M between the faces of the flanges and the upper and lower legs 42 and 42 of the anchor member 42. The inner sides of both legs 42 and 42 are of the crosssection of the upper leg [2 of Fig. 3, that is, they are provided with laterally spaced ribs or beads. The outer connectingv portion M of the clip may engage the outer edge of the rail flange to limit the location of the clip thereon, and the forcing of the anchor member over the rail flange may be limited by the engagement of the loop or outer leg-connecting portion 42 thereof with the corresponding portion M of the friction clip.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a means of the class described, the combination with a rail having a base flange, of a rail anchor secured over said base flange, said anchor comprising a U-shaped anchor member having opposed legs so constructed as to be slightly separated when forced over the flange, and a U-shaped friction plate, of slightly softer material than either the flange or the anchor member, interposed between the flange and said anchor member, one of said legs of said anchor member having at least one curved protuberance engageable with and adapted to compress portions of said friction plate when the anchor member is forced over the flange, said protuberance having a length less than that of said one leg.

2. In a means of the class described, the com= bination with a rail having a base flange, of a rail anchor secured over said base flange, said anchor comprising a U-shaped anchor member having opposed legs so constructed as to be slightly separated when forced over the flange, one of said legs having at least one curved protuberance, and a friction plate, of slightly softer material than either the flange or the anchor member, interposed between the flange and a leg of said anchor member, and capable of being compressed by the protuberance of the anchor member When the latter is forced over the flange, said protuberance having a length less than that of said one leg.

3. In a means of the class described, the combination with a rail having a base flange, of a rail anchor secured over said base flange, said anchor comprising a U-shaped anchor member having opposed legs so constructed as to be slightly separated when forced over the flange, and a friction plate, of slightly softer material than either the flange or the anchor member, interposed between the flange and said anchor member, and capable of being compressed by the anchor member when the latter is forced over the flange, the anchor member opposite said plate having a rounded protuberance of a length less than that of one of said legs for restricting the compression of the plate to the area of the protuberance and thereby concentrating the compressive force of the anchor member upon the plate.

4. In a means of the class described, the combination with a rail having a base flange, of a rail anchor secured over said base flange, said anchor comprising a U-shaped anchor member having opposed legs so constructed as to be slightly separated when forced over the flange, and a friction plate, of slightly softer material than either the flange or the anchor member, interposed between the flange and a leg of said anchor member, and capable of being compressed by the anchor member when the latter is forced over the flange, said leg having at the portion intermediate its ends only a rounded protuberance for restricting the compression of the plate to the area of the protuberance, and thereby concentrating the compressive force of the anchor member upon the plate.

5. In a means of the class described, the combination with a rail having a base flange, of a rail anchor secured over said base flange, said anchor comprising a U-shaped anchor member having opposed legs so constructed as to be slightly separated when forced over the flange, and a friction plate, of slightly softer material than either the flange or the anchor member, interposed between the flange and said anchor member, and capable of being compressed by the anchor member when the latter is forced over the flange, the leg of the anchor member opposite said plate being provided with a compressing portion less than the width of the member and less than the length of a said leg, thereby concentrating the compressive force of the anchor member upon the plate.

6. In a means of the class described, the combination with a rail having a base flange, of a rail anchor secured over said baseflange, said anchor comprising a U-shaped anchor member having opposed legs so constructed as to be slightly separated when forced over the flange, and a friction plate, of slightly softer material than the flange or the anchor member, interposed between the flange and a leg of said anchor member, and capable of being compressed by the anchor member when the latter is forced over the flange, said leg having at the portion intermediate its ends a rounded protuberance for restricting the compression of the plate to the area of the protuberance, and thereby concentrating the compressive force of the anchor member upon the plate, the outermost end of said plate extending beyond the end of the flange in engagement with the leg-connecting portion of the anchor member, the end portion of the plate tightly engaging the outer edge portion of the flange.

'7. In a means of the class described, the combination with a rail having base flanges, of a rail anchor secured over one base flange, said anchor comprising a U-shaped anchor member having opposed legs so constructed as to straddle and to be forced over the flange, and a friction plate interposed between the flange and one of the legs of said anchor member, said plate having flanges at its laterally opposite edges for receiving and locating the anchor member therebetween, said plate having an inwardly extending ear at its outer end for limiting the position of the plate with respect to the edge of the flange.

8. In a means of the class described, the combination with a rail having base flanges, of a rail anchor secured over one base flange, said anchor comprising a U-shaped anchor member having opposed legs so constructed as to straddle and to be forced over the flange, one of said legs having at least one curved protuberance, and a friction plate, of slightly softer material than either the flange or the anchor member, interposed between the flange and said anchor member capable of being compressed by the protuberance of said anchor member when the latter is forced over the flange, said plate having flanges at its laterally opposite edges for receiving and locating the anchor member therebetween.

9. In a means of the class described, the com- "essence bination ax' rai-l having a base iflange, of a rail anchor secured over :sa-id'ifiange, said anchor comprising a :U-shaped :an'chor 'member having opposed legs so constructed as to be slightly separated when forced :over. the :fiange, at least rial than either the flange or the anchor inter- 10 posed betweenithe flange and said leg havinglthe protuberance, said protuberance compressingsaid platewhe'nythe anchor isforced over thejflange.

10, In a means of the class described, the combination with a rail having a base ,flange, of a rail anchor secured over said flange, said anchor "comprising a U-shaped anchor member having flange and said leg having the-protuberances, said protub'erances compressing said plate when the anchor is forced over the flange.

TOM W, SAUL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: UN'rrEns'rA'rEs PATENTS Number Name Date 234,458 Col1ingwo'od .r Nov. 16, 1880 761,647 .Beezer et a1. June 7, 1904 1800,599 Snyder s 1 Sept. 26, 1905 1,303,237 Berkeley flashes May 1 3, 1919 1,382,335 Wolhaupter June 2 L 1921 1,609,287 Blair 1' Dec. 7, 1926 1,678,461 Cheney 1 July 24-, 1928 1,784,370 Markley Dec. 9, 1930 2,161,484 Preston June 6, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 109,439 Australia ,1 Jan. l;1,'1:940 

